nonsense. Our people don't poison
their krises and limbings. The Sakais poison their arrows."

"The whiches?" said Bob.

"The Sakais--the wild people of the hills and jungle. Naked--wear no
clothes."

"Yes," said Bob drily. "I knew naked meant wearing no clothes. So you
Malay folks are not savages, but have got savages somewhere near."

"Savages? wild people," said the young man, with a little flush
appearing through his tawny skin. "The Malay chiefs are gentlemen. We
only are simple in our ways and living."

"Oh! that's it, is it?" said Bob. "Well, come and have this drop of
Bass. I can't stand fizz."

"Fizz?" said the visitor; "what is fizz?"

"Champagne."

"Oh, yes! I know; frothing, bubbling wine, with a pop cork."

"Yes, that's it," said Bob, grinning, "with a pop cork;" and leading the
way below, he got a bottle of Bass and a couple of glasses, which they
sat down and discussed.

"Have a cigar?" said the young Malay, producing a handsome French-made
case.

"Thanky," said Bob. "What are these? Manillas?"

"No; from Deli, in Sumatra," said his visitor. And then they lit-up by
the open window of the gun-room, and sat and smoked for a few minutes in
silence, each watching the other.

"I say," said Bob at last, "this is jolly rum, you know. Why you are
quite an Englishman, young fellow."

"I like English ways," said the young chief, flushing; "some of them.
If I were sultan, I'd take to all the best English customs, and make
them take the place of all our bad ones. Then we should be great."

"Yes," said Bob; "I suppose so."

"Ah," said the young man, sadly, "you laugh. But I could improve our
people."

"Yes, of course," said Bob, hastily. "Now come and see round the ship."

"No, no, let us sit and talk," said the young Malay. "I have seen
plenty of ships. I know all about them."

"Just as you like," said Bob. "Then let's go and sit on deck, under the
awning. It's awfully hot here."

"You think it hot?"

"Yes; don't you?" said Bob.

"No, not at all," said the young Malay, smiling; and rising he followed
the middy on deck.

"That's better," said Bob; "sit down in that cane chair. I say, what's
your name?"

"Ah; what is yours?"

"Robert Roberts; commonly known to my intimates as Bob."

"Intimates? what are intimates?"

"Best friends," said Bob.

"Yes, I understand. May I be an intimate?"

"To be sure you may," said Bob, holding out his hand, which the other
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